The Little Things...

Sometimes you have days where nothing goes right. The lesson is a flop. You can't find anything at the grocery store. You don't understand the language. Sometimes those days happen. Sometimes Ethiopia wins.  

Other times, you have good days. Days where you remember to appreciate the small things. Today was one of those days. 

I got my driver's license-watch out Addis!

I bought a pressure cooker! 

My roommates and I found a delicious pizza place. 

I found Diet Coke in plastic bottles. (Add some Mentos, and we'll have great fun in my science class!)

I found scented candles! 

Today, I remembered to be thankful for the little things.

 

Sounds

Have you ever taken time to just sit and listen to the sounds all around you? I'm sitting in my classroom, waiting for my students to come back, and I am enjoying all of the new sounds I hear everyday...

donkeys 

children playing

car horns

birds

roosters

wind rushing through the trees

sirens

music from the Orthodox church

Call to Prayer from the mosque

construction

happy giggle

school bells

goats and sheep

cheering

more car horns

hyenas (at night)

dogs barking

worship from the church outside the gate

I love the sounds of my new home! Even in the middle of the night...

January 2015: The Highlight Reel

I can't believe I've almost been here one month.  Here are some highlights from January.

Saying goodbye to dear friends at the airport.

Handsome brothers at the airport.

-I moved to Ethiopia to teach elementary at Bingham Academy.

Last flight: Ethiopia bound!

View out my back window.

-I live in a lovely house with three other teachers.

Where there is no power.... Headlamp selfie

-Sometimes the power goes out, but that's ok. You just get more time to read with candles.

Cultural night during orientation.

-Traditional food in Ethiopia is Injera.  It's growing on me.
-I'm becoming a coffee drinker! Double macchiato from the souk at the school for 60 cents? I can't complain.

New SIM teachers

Watching Timket

-I'm enjoying learning more about the Ethiopian culture.

Cooked my first "from scratch" meal!

-Learning to cook and grocery shop is an adventure.
-I started language lessons two times a week.
-I teach Grade 4 Science and Social Studies as well as Grade 3 Science. I also help out in Grade 1 and 2.

Field Day 2015

I'm excited for many more months to come!

I love to hear from home! Send me a Facebook message anytime!

Field Day 2015

Field Day(s) is a serious (and seriously fun) event here at Bingham! It is a time for the whole school community to come together for two days of fun competition.  Several families live outside of Addis and homeschool through BA, so this is also a time for them to come have a week in the classroom and join in the festivities.  For the older students, Field Day looks a lot like a track and field meet, and the younger students have some modified events such as the ball throw, sack race, obstacle race, etc. The students fiercely compete for points for their house. (Bingham students and staff are divided into three houses: Taylor, Scott and Carey-All named after famous missionaries.)

Here are some pictures...

Timket 2015

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrated one of their main holidays a couple of weeks ago. Timket. 

Timket celebrates the baptism of Jesus with parades and fanfares around the country.  Members and Priests of the Orthodox Church march with their replica of the Ark of the Covenant from their church to various central locations where they are baptized with holy water.  Since the priests only walk on a carpet, it is a slow moving parade (the carpets are continually run from the back to the front). 

Here is a little video I created to try to depict the celebrations. Now you want to come visit, right?

**Disclaimer #1: I don't know very much about this holiday (but I did enjoy a day off school!).  Please feel free to google it and become more knowledgable.

**Disclaimer #2: I've never used iMovie before, so please don't judge my movie making skills! 

I'm back!

I made it to Ethiopia last Saturday evening.  Traveling here was quite uneventful and all of my bags arrived!

I am still working on getting over jet lag, and I am enjoying getting settles into my new routine and apartment.  This week, we are taking time to learn more about Ethiopia and the school.  It has been a nice way to ease back into the swing of school.  I will be teaching Grade 4 Science and Social Studies, Grade 3 Science, and a variety of other support roles in different classes.

Here are a couple of pictures....

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View from my window

Packing and Prayers

How long does it take you to use a stick of deodorant? What about a bottle of shampoo? Your favorite lotion? If you're going on the mission field any time soon, I suggest you start a nice spread sheet now. 

I'm leaving Friday, January 2nd, and I would appreciate your prayers. Here is how you can pray for me...

• Good health.  The stomach bug has visited our family, and that's no fun. 
• Safe and smooth travels.  I have a short connection in Houston.
• Last minute details and packing to all get done with minimal stress.
• Saying goodbyes to family and friends. (And for the people left behind.)
• Smooth transition into life and teaching in Ethiopia.

Anybody want to come help??
And yes, WinShape friends, that is a token in my suitcase.